Milwaukee 2525 M12 Brushless Rotary Tool Review 

I like that quick change nose wrench thing, that's pretty clever!

First throught: I rarely use mine, but when I do, I use it a lot, but really, no need to upgrade. On Second Thought: Oh, look, built in wrench, must order the new one ASAP!

I’m glad I waited for a brushless M12 rotary tool, now I can finally cut the cord of my Dremel rotary tool. Now it’s time for Milwaukee to come out with a Fuel or brushless version of their compact blower!

Having burned up the brushed version, I'll be getting the new one soon. The light is definitely needed as well.

I was afraid they had changed the head design where it wouldn’t allow flex shafts to be installed. I’m glad to see they did keep that ability. I’ll probably be upgrading soon now that I know my flex shaft will work with the new model.

I only just got this tool today love it!

If I didn’t already own the gen1 brushed version, I would definitely buy this one. However, since i have the older one, i will just wait until the brushes wear out to buy a new brushless version. That would probably take a decade since I use it infrequently. For rotary tools, i almost always care about ergonomics over power. My favorite rotary tool is actually my much weaker but much lighter 4v ryobi with the usb-chargeable batteries. I want to be able to hold my rotary tool in one hand like a pencil and cut or grind something precisely. When i need power to cut something, i get out my brushless 18v angle grinder or various saws that i own. When i want to drill in tough material, i use a drill. I use rotary tools for precision work where precision matters more to me than power. I would have preferred it if they would have kept the same power as the old gen1 brushed version but made the tool smaller and lighter. So usually when i need a rotary tool, i start with my 4v ryobi and switch to my m12 brushed when i need more power. I often don’t need more power for what i do with rotary tools.

The only tool i have been looking forward to

Built in wrench is a nice touch.

I like the tool less Collett and the power. Thanks for the video and review brother.

I use the gen 1 all the time. you can apply more pressure than you can on the right angle die grinder which isn’t saying much. Ryobi makes a quick change cut off wheel, reasonably priced and works great . Picked up a bunch on clearance last January. Same for drum sander , I didn’t have much luck with it but they all suck, hard to change or slip off too easy

I could've used this for cutting hose clamps. Would've saved me a lot of time. Definitely on my tool wish list.

Thanks you!

Tim, as for the accessories, those are traditionally square drive on the flex shaft. Does the new tool have a corresponding female square drive feature in the base of collet area to mate with the flex shaft during installation?

I thought the original was more a hobby tool but it came in handy for fine detail work, even when making ceramic tile cuts (using some cheap diamond blades). Porcelain was a bit too hard, and was looking at the battery die grinders, wonder how this thing stacks up in terms of torque or if they'll release a Fuel version. That said, doesn't the old one go up to 32k rpm? The fast rpm is useful for some situations, otherwise I'd have gotten Proxxon's.

Great review as always! Have you noticed any vibration with cutting disks on the new M12 brushless tool? The old one would vibrate for me at full speed with cutting disks.

How does this compare, particularly in power, to the Ryobi HP brushless rotary tool? This is obviously more compact and can be used without a flex extension, but is the 18V Ryobi a noticeable step up in power?

I just use this tool(GEN 1)today and it’s fine. I don’t see the need to upgrade to a newer tool, especially since I don’t use this tool all the time, but it’s works great when I need. I have a couple of the Dremel accessories, just wish the plunge cutter/drywall cut out accessory was made out of metal

I hadn't bought the older one because it wasn't brushless. I had a good corded dremel with a flex shaft etc. I use it at the workbench where the 6 ft cord isn't really a hassle.However, the other day, I bought some new wood caster armchairs for the kitchen table, and the pocket holes under the arms and seat were left a little raw-edged and splintery (just like their 30 year old predecessors, alas Chicom QC is still the same as 30 years ago for fit and finish unfortunately). Finish your stuff properly! Raise the price if you have to. Not a unfixable problem, dremel + burr and...well the chairs are easier to do in the kitchen, so I grab my dremel...the cord isn't quite long enough, so I grab a 25 ft extension cord. This little task plus it now being brushless sold me on buying this tool. I'll still keep the dremel for bench use; I have a clampstand and I really like the flex shaft.

When going from brushed to brushless the tools get bigger & heavier, I have the brushed version of this rotary tool. That’s what I don’t like. I have the brushed & brushless Milwaukee multi-tool & I prefer to use the brushed bc it’s a smaller footprint & lighter. The increased power isn’t everything. You got to be able to get into tight spaces & sometimes hold the tool at an awkward angle & it gets tiring with a girthy, heavier tool.

What mandrel and cutoff disc did you use? The fiber

Deciding between this one (because I have loads of m12 batteries) and the dremel offering. Can't decide lol but I hate idea of having two separate battery type in my tools.

Could you link to that cutoff disc/blade?

Do I even need the straight angle die grinder?

Any good for tool engraving. My 22 year old engraver gave out

will this work with Dremel accessories or are these all propriatery?

Interesting it's not a "Fuel" branded tool.

Thank you

I don’t see a need for it if you have the m12 die grinder with a 1/8 collet.

The original you can put the quick collet release on from a Dremel. So that's identical. I was excited until it was disclosed that it's fatter..... What the heck. It's already humongous compared to a corded Dremel.

Ugh pre ordered one. Still waiting!

I wonder how this would do in removing window glazing putty

My old brushed one just stopped working.

Looks good I’m interested. I assume it will work with Dremel brand bits right?

This will take Dremel's accessories?

Is this the same thing as a stright die grinder or is this more like a dremel tool

My Dewalt orbital sander died. Waiting for an M18 fuel / brushless version.

Why do they have to make them more chunky. The new M12 ratchets that are even chunkier than the version before

Wow

When can it be purchased by us mere mortals?

About time. That first gen fuckn sucks ass. Any slight pressure amd it'll be toasted. I went through 2... on my 3rd amd it's a pos.

Milwaukee, upgrade m12 rottary hammer!

Damn it.. now i have to buy one. Thanks a bunch guy..jk

That head design is awful. Can they not just add a chuck like the Drexel accessory. They’re cheap and essential if you buy a multitool.

Thing sounds like a damn mosquito. Useful though. Hopefully battery life is real world fair